The Four Environments: Living in God's Presence as the First Step to Biblical Sexuality

Bruno Borges, Ph.D.(c)

In the opening pages of Scripture, we see a striking pattern in God’s creative order—first, He establishes the environments, and then He fills them with life. Genesis 1 records that God created the sea, the sky, and the land before filling them with creatures suited to their respective habitats. Finally, He planted a special place—the Garden of Eden—and placed humanity within it to live in His presence. This order reveals a profound truth: everything thrives in the environment it was created for, and when removed from that environment, it malfunctions and dies.

The Necessity of the Right Environment

Each living creature is designed to thrive in a specific habitat. If a fish is taken out of water, it perishes. If a bird is removed from the sky and kept from flying, it suffers. If a land animal, such as a deer, is placed in the depths of the sea or sent into outer space, it cannot survive. The same principle applies to humanity in relation to God’s presence.

Human beings were not merely designed to exist in a physical environment but to live in communion with their Creator. Genesis 2:8 states, “And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed.” Later, Genesis 2:15 reiterates this, saying, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” The word “Eden” (עֵדֶן, ʿēḏen) in Hebrew means “delight” or “pleasure.” This reveals God’s intent: humanity was meant to dwell in the joy of His presence, a life-giving communion that sustains us at the deepest level.

Just as a fish outside of water eventually dies, so too does humanity outside of God’s presence. The moment Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden, the decay of sin set in. Death—both spiritual and physical—was the inevitable consequence (Genesis 3:22-24). The tragedy of the fall was not merely the loss of a perfect location but the loss of unhindered communion with God.

Returning to the Presence of God: The First Step to Restoration

Recognizing this pattern of creation provides us with the key to restoring every aspect of our lives, including our understanding of biblical sexuality. Before God created Adam and Eve as male and female, He first placed them in His presence. This is foundational: all of human thriving—including sexuality—flows from dwelling in God’s presence.

When sexuality is detached from God’s presence, it, too, malfunctions. Confusion, brokenness, and distortion emerge when humanity attempts to live outside the environment God designed. Just as we cannot redefine the habitat for a fish or a bird without causing harm, we cannot redefine sexuality outside of God’s presence without experiencing brokenness.

The first step in restoring any area of life is not behavioral modification but a return to God’s presence. Psalm 16:11 declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This applies to every dimension of human existence. True healing—whether relational, emotional, or sexual—begins by abiding in the presence of the One who created us.

Conclusion

The four environments of creation—the sea, the sky, the earth, and the Garden of Eden—demonstrate God’s design for life. Every living creature thrives in the environment it was made for, and when taken out of it, it perishes. Humanity’s true environment is God’s presence. The loss of Eden was not merely about leaving a location but being cut off from life itself. The first step in restoring any part of our lives, including our sexuality, is to return to the presence of God. It is there that we rediscover our true purpose, our identity, and the joy of living as He designed.

As Jesus declared, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). In Him, we find restoration, thriving, and life to the fullest.